First Bus is introducing widespread changes to its network across Norfolk from Sunday 30 August.
Revised bus routes between Norwich, Wymondham and Attleborough, new links to Norwich Airport and the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital are among the changes to be introduced.
Revised timetables will apply to several services including measures to improve reliability and punctuality.
Head of Network for East & Midlands, Julian Elliott, said: “This comprehensive review will introduce new and better connections across the region.
“We’ve looked carefully at how and where we can provide easier travel and encourage more people to use the bus. This package of changes includes improvements on busy inter-urban routes, links to healthcare and jobs and integration with other transport services to support the regional economy.”
Norwich
Green Line: A simplified, coordinated ‘A11 corridor’ sees route 14 connecting Attleborough to Norwich via Wymondham and Hethersett, then continuing to Dussindale. The X14 service will replace the current X13, while services 15 and 16 will no longer serve Harts Farm, but will serve the areas in north Wymondham, giving a direct link to the rail station.
Together, services 14, 15 and 16 will provide a coordinated frequency of up to every 15 minutes between Wymondham and Norwich and along Yarmouth Road. Service 17 is replaced by certain peak journeys on the 15 and 16 servicesbeing routed via Broadland Business Park.
Orange Line: A new service 20 will extend beyond Catton Grove Road via North Walsham Road and out to Spixworth, replacing services 13 and X13, providing a direct link to Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital. All service 21 journeys will operate via Fiddlewood. Later journeys have been added to Spixworth with a last departing the city at 23.10 and the Sunday frequency will double to 30 minutes instead of hourly.
Purple Line: Service 37 will still operate from Hellesdon, but terminate in Norwich City Centre, with Mulbarton being served by an extension to the 38 and new 38A services. The 38A will provide connections to Norwich Airport and the Aviation Academy, travelling along the new Airport bus link road, currently under construction.
A new earlier journey will run from Long Stratton on weekdays, and the 36A will be extended to cover a greater the Mendham Lane & Spirkett’s Lane areas of Harleston. Norfolk County Council sponsored evening journeys to Long Stratton, will be operated by Central Connect.
Yellow Line: The timetable for routes 28, 29 and X29 will be revised to improve punctuality.
Charcoal Line: A revised Monday to Saturday timetable will be in place, with buses running every 20 minutes between Norwich and Poringland, and one of those continuing to serve Stoke Holy Cross. An hourly service will connect Norwich, Bungay and Halesworth, supported by additional journeys to and from Norwich at busier peak times. There are no changes to the Sunday timetable.
Turquoise Line: The service is by changes to the Green Line and Orange Line – descriptions above.
Great Yarmouth
Routes 2 and 3 between Great Yarmouth, Barrack Estate, Gorleston, Bradwell and Burgh Castle will run to a revised timetable. This will provide a combined frequency of every 15 minutes between Market Gates and Barrack Estate, every 30 minutes to Gorleston and Bradwell and every hour to Burgh Castle and James Paget Hospital.
“We have redesigned our regional network to improve journey options for customers which we hope can help to grow bus travel” added Julian Elliott.
Full details of the network changes and supporting information can be found on the First Bus website https://www.firstbus.co.uk/norfolk-suffolk/news-and-service-updates/updates/norfolk-suffolk-service…
